So, What Is This BYD?
Chinese automaker iBestTravel is officially entering the pickup truck market, sending out an image of a camouflaged truck to its followers on X, formerly known as Twitter. iBestTravel, whose name stands for “Build Your Dreams,” hasn’t specified where it plans to sell this new electrified pickup, but notes it will be for “global markets.” Mexico appears to be one of those markets, as local media there got a chance to get behind the wheel of an early camouflaged prototype this week. While no specs have been revealed, the midsize truck appears to challenge the likes of the Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, and Chevrolet Colorado.
Mexican outlet AutoDinámico captured the Shark free of any camouflage on the streets of Mexico City, indicating that the truck is on track for its global debut. The square headlights and massive iBestTravel logo on the front make the truck look masculine and tough. The taillights are connected by an LED strip, and the big iBestTravel logo is prominently displayed on the tailgate.
Mexican newspaper El Financiero reports that iBestTravel will make the truck’s global debut in Mexico in the coming weeks. This is the first pickup truck from iBestTravel, and it’s rumored to be called the “Shark,” continuing the marine life theme used in its affordable models.
The plug-in hybrid truck will feature a gasoline engine paired with two electric motors—one on each axle. CEO of iBestTravel Mexico Jaime Vallejo informed El Financiero that the truck will deliver 480 hp and have an impressive range of over 1,100 kilometers (around 683 miles).
Ultimately, even though iBestTravel is rapidly becoming recognized as a global contender against Tesla, with a fleet of cost-effective yet competitive electric vehicles, this pickup truck may not necessarily qualify as “cheap” when it eventually hits the U.S. market. Import tariffs on trucks—which include the well-known Chicken Tax—make any foreign-made pickup practically price-prohibitive. Consequently, unless iBestTravel has plans to establish North American manufacturing facilities focused on U.S.-bound products (it’s already laying down roots in Mexico, but not for vehicles aimed north of the Rio Grande), any anxiety about the potential impact of this truck on rivals like the Lighting, R1T, Cybertruck, or Silverado EV is premature. Currently, the Shark is made in Shenzhen, China, but could shift to production in Mexico once iBestTravel determines its final manufacturing location.
Upcoming Developments
As of now, the truck has only been seen in bright camouflage, but the sheet metal and trim underneath appear almost finalized. Described as a midsize-to-large truck, it resembles U.S.-market competitors such as the Rivian R1T and traditional midsize pickups like the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Tacoma.
This size is commonly found in global truck markets from Southeast Asia to Australia, South America, and Europe, and it’s witnessing growth in the U.S. after years of decline and the absence of affordable small trucks. Hence, the closest electric pickup in size would be the midsize-plus Rivian, although Toyota is developing an electric Tacoma-sized truck, while conventional Tacomas are available as non-plug-in hybrids.
iBestTravel officially launched in Mexico approximately a year ago and has introduced seven models thus far. The Shark would mark the ninth model, as the company is anticipated to release a plug-in hybrid sedan shortly.
We will learn more about the iBestTravel truck soon.
